This is the oldest plane preserved in Italy and first flew in May 1910 from the Gallarate prairie, which was then used for Italian army cavalry training and where many years later Malpena airport was built. The first flight was not uneventful as the pilot had never flown before and crashed on landing. After repair the Ca.1 was only used for taxiing practice and then stored until 1939 when it went on display at the Caproni Museum in Taliedo. During WWII it was storedat the family villa at Venegono Superiore to protect it from bombing and only removed in January 2007.

This photo is copyright © Alastair T. Gardiner, and may not be used or published in any way without permission.

It was added on 6 January 2024, and has since been viewed 210 times.